Glass coffee maker adjustable handle



Nov. 27, 1945. J H, RECHART 2,389,740

GLASS COFFEE MAKER ADJUSTABLE HANDLE Filed May 13, 1943 Patented Nov. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLASS COFFEE MAKER ADJUSTABLE HANDLE James H. Reichart, Muncie, Ind.

Application May 13, 1943, Serial No. 486,861

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a handle and band structure for attachment to a vessel such as a coffee maker and like structures.

The chief object of this invention is the simplication of present structures of the aforesaid general type and an improved handle memberband connection, which permits utilization of extremely thin band metal normally impracticable for such use.

Another object of this invention resides in its construction so that when vessel-attached, the structure is readily adjustable, insofar as the element is concerned, into collapsed relation relative to the vessel for reduction in shipping volume, and which furthermore can be adjusted for the personal convenience of the ultimate purchaser of the vessel, or for special uses and conditiens.

The chief features of the present invention resides in providing the'vessel adjacent end of a handle member, of the desired outline and shape, with at least a pair of spaced slots, each of a width at least equal to the thickness of the band end to be seated therein, said slots forming a central rigid abutment therebetween and at least two side portions and with connecting means that extends through both band ends and the abutment portion for clamping the same together, certain embodiments hereof comprising a pivotal arrangement between the band and handle member providing the adjustments aforesaid.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the k following description and claims:

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a glass vessel, such as a coffee maker, with the handle structure embodying the invention applied thereto, the vessel being broken away and partli shown in section. l

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of such a vessel with the corresponding band portion and adjacent portion of the handle element, dotted line position B illustrating a collapsed position of the latter for shipping purposes, and dotted line position A illustrating a personal convenience adjusted position thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a second and modified form f connection embodied in the invention and being taken in a plane corresponding to that indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows. y y

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a third modified form of connection.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View through a modified form of handle structure and the singular connecting means being that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View showing the band seating slots in converging relation.

Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the band seating slots in diverging relation.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I0 indicates the body of a glass vessel, such as a coffee maker. Its neck portion is shouldered at I la and I Ib to form the annular groove I2 and this shouldered neck is ared outwardly as at I3 and terminates in mouth I4.

A band I5 of very thin, but appreciably wide metal, includes similarly and outwardly directed ends I .and I'I, each being integral with the band at I8 and IS, respectively. Ends I6 and Il are apertured as at 20 and 2 I, respectively, the former being of larger size for reasons assigned hereinafter. When not handle-connected or mounted, the band ends may be said to be divergingly directed relative to the band proper.

The handle member 22 may take any suitable form, conformation and/or outline and be of any suitable material, preferably one such. as of heat transfer resisting character. tics and wood are suitable. The handle may have suitable portions, such as rings 23 herein, to facilitate non-slipping gripping. If of pistol grip character, it would include other well known non-slipping formations.

Two slots 8 and 9 herein are shown parallel and of a depth or length at least equal to the length of the band ends. They also are of a width at least equal to the thickness of the band end. Parallel slots are preferred, because they may be formed by spaced saws in a single operation. However, they may be convergingly or divergingly directed as disclosed in Figs. 6 and '7 respectively.

Formed by these two slots are the side portions 25 and 26, respectively. Diverging slots reduce the thickness of the base of abutment portion 24 rigid with the handle portion proper. Converging slots, while increasing the thickness of the base portion 24, also reduce the thickness of the base portions 0f the side portions. Either angularity, however, precludes axial presentation of the handle to the band ends for connection purposes.

Each of the aforesaid handle portions includes an aperture, all being aligned. Side portion 25 includes aperture 2l, abutment or central portion includes aperture 28 and side portion 26 includes aperture 29. The band ends IB and |'I in slots 8 and 9 have their respective apertures 20 and 2| also aligned with apertures 21, 28 and 29.

A "sheet metal screw, preferably suitably hardened, includes head portion 30, threaded shank portion 3| and pilot tip 32. Herein all handle apertures may be of the same diameter and formed at one drilling operation. Aperture 20 is large enough to pass threads 3|. Aperture 2| is less than same, but large enough to pass pilot end 32.

When the screw is tightened after the parts are positioned, as illustrated, the threads 3| cut a thread in band end I'I at aperture 2| and this constitutes the nut. The pilot tip 32 is, when parts are tightened up, fully nested in aperture 29. This form of the invention is the preferred form, because it requires fewest parts as cornpared with the forms illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and further because at the present time these sheet metal screws are not as scarce as the connections illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This screw also does not loosen under vibration as might be supposed to occur.

It is here appropriate to describe the action of the connection and for this purpose reference is had to the arrows only in Fig. 3. If the band ends are divergingly directed when not mounted, the band portions adjacent the end junctions I8 and I9 are forced radially inward and, of course, the two junctions are brought towards each other, being separated by the width of the abutment portion.

When the connection is herein tightened, band end il is drawn up tight against the slot 9 face ofthe abutment 24. Head 30 bearing on side portion 25 forces it and in turn band end I6 tight against the slot 8 face of the abutment 24. Hence, both band ends are clamped tightly to the abutment 24 rigid with the handle.

With the parallel slots, in connecting the band to the handle member, the band is larger than when contracted about the vessel, hence the ends of the bands are more widely spaced than when handle mounted. The immediate free ends of the bands can be readily drawn towards each other to register with the free ends of the slots. 'I'hen longitudinal pressure on the handle element simultaneously forces the band ends into the slots and contracts the band about the vessel. The clamping means then secures all the parts in rigid relation and additionally tightens the band about the vessel.

In this embodiment, side portion 26 merely serves as a protector for band end Il. The aforesaid detailed description is intentionally set forth for the purpose of explaining the respective bearings, forces, etc., involved and which are associated with the comparatively thin metal band, which normally would yield to lateral stress applied thereto were it not for the mounting of said ends in the kerfed handle, as illustrated and described herein,

Note also that the free ends of side portions 25 and 26 are each adjacent junctions I8 and I9, respectively, so that the thin metal band I immediately adjacent thereto is thereby prevented from lateral swinging to one side or the other of the central plane of the handle. This is especially important for pouring purposes. This thin metal band handle has all the advantages of a band handle structure wherein the band is two or more times as thick as that herein illustrated, for the band herein is reenforced and supported by the handle member at the critical portions.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 3. Herein the parts are similarly numbered, except increased by one hundred. In this form, opposite ends of the connecting means are externally positioned, although the handle bore portion I2? and |29 can be enlarged to counter sink the ends of said means, which herein includes a bolt and nut structure having head |30 and threaded shank |3I, while the nut is indicated by |32.

Herein, as distinguished from Fig. 1, the apertures |2| must be large enough to pass shank |3| and may be the same size as aperture |20. This form has the advantage over that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in that both side portions |25 and |28 are clampingly drawn together instead of but one in said figures.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 4 wherein another embodiment is illustrated and wherein numerals of two hundred series designate parts similar or identical to parts in Figs. 1 and 2 designated by corresponding primary numerals.

In this embodiment the dual side portion clamping effect is also obtained. Herein aperture 22| may be smaller than aperture 220, in this respect being like Figs. 1 and 2, or may be equal in this respect being like Fig. 3. If of unequal size, the larger hole 220 is large enough to freely pass the internally threaded sleeve portion 230a of the female screw member having head 230 bearing upon side portion 225. The male member 23| has head 232 bearing upon side portion 226. The threaded shank freely passes through the smaller, if desired, aperture 22| and threads into the sleeve for clamping purposes. If desired, bores 221 and 229 at their outer ends may be enlarged to nest or counter sink the heads 23D and 232, respectively.

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention and in this figure numerals of the 300 series indicate like or similar parts designated by the primary series in Figs. 1 and 2.

In this figure the singular connecting means is shown as of the character illustrated in Fig. 1, although it is to be understood that either of the connecting means illustrated in either Figs. 3 or 4 may be substituted therefor. The chief distinction found in this embodiment is that each band end 3I6 and 3|'| has its upper and lower edges angularly directed. The edge portions are designated by the subscript a and these, if the handle element is of appropriate character, such as wood or plastic of the desired type, upon clamping association of the handle arrangement, bite into the abutment portion 324 as shown. It is, of course, to be understood that Fig. 5 is slightly exaggerated as to this channel-shaped formation of the band end and its biting association with the abutment.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawing and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A handle and band structure for a vessel comprising a metal band for vessel envelopment and of a. width materially greater than its thickness so that it is inherently very exible and having apertured outwardly directed ends, a rigid handle having a pair of longitudinally directed slots in the Vessel confronting end thereof, the slots extending from top to bottom of that end and appreciably spaced apart to provide a central abutment portion integral with the handle and two spaced h'andle integral side portions, the central portion being adapted for vessel contact and the side portions terminating immediately adjacent the vessel contacting face of the central portion, and means for connecting the band to the handle and passing through the apertures of the band ends and one side portion and the cen-- tral portion and clamping the aforesaid together when the ends are slot seated, the length of the slots permitting relative tilting between band and handle and upon said connecting means as a pivot when in non-clamping engagement, the side portions terminating at the junction of the band ends and the band and preventing lateral swinging of the band relative to the handle.

2. A handle structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the connecting means comprising a hardened sheet metal screw freely passable through one band aperture and self-threadedly connected to the other band end at the aperture thereof.

3. A handle structure as deiined by claim 1 wherein th'e connecting means comprising a hardened sheet metal screw freely passable through one band aperture and self-threadedly connected to the other band end at the aperture thereof, the pilot end of the screw terminating short of the handle element surface.

4. A handle structure as dened by claim 1 wherein the spaced slots are inclined relative to the axis of the handle element and to each other.

5. A handle structure as dened by claim 1 wherein the spaced slots are inclined realtive to the axis of the handle element and to each other, the slots at the vessel adjacent end of the handle element being closer together than at the roots of the slots.

6. A handle structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the spaced slots are inclined relative to the axis of the handle element and to each other, the slots at the vessel adjacent end of the handle member being spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the roots of the slots.

7. A structure as defined by claim 1 wh'erein the band ends are channel shaped in cross section, the channels being directed towards each other for biting engagement of the abutment portion of the handle element when the band ends and abutment portion are clampingly associated together.

8. A structure as defined by claim 1 wherein th'e band ends are channel shaped in cross section, the channels being directed towards each other for biting engagement of the abutment portion of the handle element when the band ends and abutment portion are clampingly associated together, the slots being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle element.

9. A structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the slots are parallel.

10. A structure as dened by claim 1 wherein the aperture in one band end is larger than that in the other end.

11. A structure as dened by claim 1 wherein the slots are parallel to each other and the longitudinal axis of the handle.

JAMES H. REICHAR'I'. 

